General Motors and Honda Announce A Hydrogen Partnership

Hydrogen, the fuel that automakers say will be available within ten years and doesn't, got some big press yesterday. General Motors and Honda announced a new partnership that will see the co-development of a next-generation fuel cell system and hydrogen storage technologies by 2020. The partnership will also look at reducing the cost of shared components that come from this and contribute to building an infrastructure for Hydrogen.

The two automakers have fuel-cell development programs, but at a limited scale. General Motors launched a fleet of hydrogen-powered Chevrolet Equinoxes back in 2007. The company says the fleet has done close to three million miles. Honda has leased a small number of their FCX and FCX Clarity vehicles.

Neither automaker said that a car (or cars) would be coming at this time.

Goal is commercially feasible fuel cell and hydrogen storage in 2020 time frame

2013-07-02

NEW YORK – General Motors (NYSE: GM) and Honda (NYSE: HMC) announced today a long-term, definitive master agreement to co-develop next-generation fuel cell system and hydrogen storage technologies, aiming for the 2020 time frame. The collaboration expects to succeed by sharing expertise, economies of scale and common sourcing strategies.

GM and Honda plan to work together with stakeholders to further advance refueling infrastructure, which is critical for the long-term viability and consumer acceptance of fuel cell vehicles.

GM and Honda are acknowledged leaders in fuel cell technology. According to the Clean Energy Patent Growth Index, GM and Honda rank No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in total fuel cell patents filed between 2002 and 2012, with more than 1,200 between them.

"This collaboration builds upon Honda and GM's strengths as leaders in hydrogen fuel cell technology," said Dan Akerson, GM chairman and CEO. "We are convinced this is the best way to develop this important technology, which has the potential to help reduce the dependence on petroleum and establish sustainable mobility."

Takanobu Ito, president & CEO of Honda Motor Co. Ltd. said: "Among all zero CO2 emission technologies, fuel cell electric vehicles have a definitive advantage with range and refueling time that is as good as conventional gasoline cars. Honda and GM are eager to accelerate the market penetration of this ultimate clean mobility technology, and I am excited to form this collaboration to fuse our leading fuel cell technologies and create an advanced system that will be both more capable and more affordable."

GM's Project Driveway program, launched in 2007, has accumulated nearly 3 million miles of real-world driving in a fleet of 119 hydrogen-powered vehicles, more than any other automaker.

Honda began leasing of the Honda FCX in 2002 and has deployed 85 units in the U.S. and Japan, including its successor, the FCX Clarity, which was named the 2009 World Green Car. Honda has delivered these vehicles to the hands of customers in the U.S. and collected valuable data concerning real-world use of fuel cell electric vehicles.

As already announced, Honda plans to launch the successor of FCX Clarity in Japan and the United States in 2015, and then in Europe. GM will announce its fuel cell production plans at a later date.

Fuel cell technology addresses many of the major challenges facing automobiles today – petroleum dependency, emissions, efficiency, range and refueling times. Fuel cell vehicles can operate on renewable hydrogen made from sources like wind and biomass. The only emission from fuel cell vehicles is water vapor.

Additionally, fuel cell vehicles can have up to 400 miles driving range, can be refueled in as little as three minutes, and the propulsion technology can be used on small, medium, and large vehicles.

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Hydrogen is a Financial Nightmare for those that think this is the logical next step. This is not the right place for GM to spend Money on. There are far more better ways for them to spend R&D dollars than this mess.

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Thanks to new regulations done by California Air Resources Board, automakers have to sell a certain amount of zero-emission vehicles if they want to sell other vehicles - primarily crossovers, SUVs, and trucks - in the state. These new regulations say by 2025, zero-emission vehicles need to make up 15.4 percent of the market. Since then, nine other states including New York have adopted these regulations. All told, these ten states make up 30 percent of the total U.S. auto market.
Take for example Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed a couple years back they take a hit of $14,000 on every Fiat 500e sold. But if they wanted to sell Ram pickups and Jeep SUVs in California, they need to take the hit.
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If General Motors is able to sell enough Bolts, they'll be able to gather enough credits to not only sell other vehicles which will make up for the Bolt's loss, but also be able to sell extra credits to other automakers. Tesla has taken advantage of this to great effect. In the third quarter, Tesla made $139 million from selling credits.
Source: Bloomberg

Every Chevrolet Bolt that will be rolling off the assembly line will lose General Motors close to $9,000 once they are sold. This seems like madness, but according to a report from Bloomberg, there is some method to it.
Thanks to new regulations done by California Air Resources Board, automakers have to sell a certain amount of zero-emission vehicles if they want to sell other vehicles - primarily crossovers, SUVs, and trucks - in the state. These new regulations say by 2025, zero-emission vehicles need to make up 15.4 percent of the market. Since then, nine other states including New York have adopted these regulations. All told, these ten states make up 30 percent of the total U.S. auto market.
Take for example Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed a couple years back they take a hit of $14,000 on every Fiat 500e sold. But if they wanted to sell Ram pickups and Jeep SUVs in California, they need to take the hit.
How does Bloomberg get the $9,000 figure? That's due to a source at General Motors who revealed the estimate is based on the Bolt's $37,500 base price. A GM spokesman declined to comment.
If General Motors is able to sell enough Bolts, they'll be able to gather enough credits to not only sell other vehicles which will make up for the Bolt's loss, but also be able to sell extra credits to other automakers. Tesla has taken advantage of this to great effect. In the third quarter, Tesla made $139 million from selling credits.
Source: Bloomberg

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Dec 1, 2016 - TORRANCE, Calif.
Powered by both cars and trucks, American Honda and the Honda Division set new November sales records
American Honda and Honda Division trucks also set new November sales marks
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Accord, recently named one of Car & Driver magazine's 10 Best cars for a record 31st time, enjoyed a robust gain of 6.3 percent on sales of 27,182 units.
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Acura
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Source: Honda
Press Release is on Page 2
Unveiling of Sporty Honda Civic Si Prototype Completes 10th Generation Civic Line-up
Nov 15, 2016
2017 Civic Si will be fastest, most powerful Si yet
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Active steering, active suspension, limited-slip differential and high-performance tires among Si performance upgrades
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LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The Honda Civic Si Prototype made its global debut today, giving Honda enthusiasts a good look at the design and performance direction for the 2017 Civic Si Coupe and Si Sedan, both launching next year. The Civic Si Prototype will be on display at the 2016 Los Angeles International Auto Show where it will be joined by its Civic Sedan, Coupe and Hatchback siblings, plus the radical Civic Type-R Prototype, providing the first public opportunity to see all five Civic variants. This will also be the first time the Type-R interior will be shown.
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The 2017 Civic Si Coupe and Si Sedan will be powered by a high-performance, high-torque 1.5-liter, directed-injected and turbocharged DOHC in-line 4-cylinder engine with dual variable cam timing (dual VTC) mated to a short-shifting 6-speed manual transmission. Additional performance upgrades for the Si variants will include a new active damper system, active steering system, limited-slip differential and available high-performance tires.
"With the new Honda Civic Si, we're injecting even more sporty goodness into our 10th-generation Civic lineup," said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of Honda. "This will be, hands down, the fastest, best-handling Si we've ever offered to our customers."
The Civic Si Prototype interior closely previews the production model and features Si-exclusive front sport seats with red stitching, including stitched Si logos. The red sport stitching carries through to the doors, steering wheel and leather shift boot with aluminum shift knob. The Si Prototype interior also features a red driver's TFT meter and audio system illumination, aluminum sport pedals and Dry Metal Carbon instrument panel trim.
The Civic Si Coupe and Si Sedan will launch next year as the latest additions to the 10th-generation Honda Civic lineup, joining the Civic Sedan, Civic Coupe and just-launched Civic Hatchback. The rollout of the 10th-gen Civic lineup will be completed with the launch of the new track-ready Civic Type-R next year.
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We've seen the coolest and hottest variants of the Civic lineup, but is there something in the middle? Honda has introduced that model in the form of 2017 Civic Si Prototype.
We're expecting the production to mostly look the same as the vehicle seen here - a mean looking front fascia from the Civic hatchback and center mounted exhaust. This prototype comes with a Honda Factory Performance (HFP) aero package and 19-inch wheels, items we expect you'll be able to option. Like the previous-generation, the Si will be available in coupe and sedan. Sorry, the hatchback is reserved for the Type R. The interior looks the part with a set of sport seats, an aluminum shift knob and sport pedals and other touches to set it apart from other Civics.
Power will come from a turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder paired with a six-speed manual. Honda isn't saying anything about performance figures, only saying it's the "fastest, most powerful Si yet." Our hunch is we're looking at 220 or above. Other performance items the Si will feature include an active damper system, active steering, limited-slip differential, and the option of high-performance tires.

Source: Honda
Press Release is on Page 2
Unveiling of Sporty Honda Civic Si Prototype Completes 10th Generation Civic Line-up
Nov 15, 2016
2017 Civic Si will be fastest, most powerful Si yet
Si Coupe and Si Sedan joining 10th-generation Civic lineup in 2017
Active steering, active suspension, limited-slip differential and high-performance tires among Si performance upgrades
All models to feature short-shifting 6-speed manual
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The Honda Civic Si Prototype made its global debut today, giving Honda enthusiasts a good look at the design and performance direction for the 2017 Civic Si Coupe and Si Sedan, both launching next year. The Civic Si Prototype will be on display at the 2016 Los Angeles International Auto Show where it will be joined by its Civic Sedan, Coupe and Hatchback siblings, plus the radical Civic Type-R Prototype, providing the first public opportunity to see all five Civic variants. This will also be the first time the Type-R interior will be shown.
The shimmering Rallye Red Pearl Civic Si Prototype features a full Factory Performance (HFP) aero kit, including front and rear splitters and rear spoiler, plus a center-mounted polygonal exhaust finisher and 19-inch 235/35Y high-performance tires mounted on HFP 19 x 8J 10-spoke forged aluminum alloy wheels.
The 2017 Civic Si Coupe and Si Sedan will be powered by a high-performance, high-torque 1.5-liter, directed-injected and turbocharged DOHC in-line 4-cylinder engine with dual variable cam timing (dual VTC) mated to a short-shifting 6-speed manual transmission. Additional performance upgrades for the Si variants will include a new active damper system, active steering system, limited-slip differential and available high-performance tires.
"With the new Honda Civic Si, we're injecting even more sporty goodness into our 10th-generation Civic lineup," said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of Honda. "This will be, hands down, the fastest, best-handling Si we've ever offered to our customers."
The Civic Si Prototype interior closely previews the production model and features Si-exclusive front sport seats with red stitching, including stitched Si logos. The red sport stitching carries through to the doors, steering wheel and leather shift boot with aluminum shift knob. The Si Prototype interior also features a red driver's TFT meter and audio system illumination, aluminum sport pedals and Dry Metal Carbon instrument panel trim.
The Civic Si Coupe and Si Sedan will launch next year as the latest additions to the 10th-generation Honda Civic lineup, joining the Civic Sedan, Civic Coupe and just-launched Civic Hatchback. The rollout of the 10th-gen Civic lineup will be completed with the launch of the new track-ready Civic Type-R next year.
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